DE2606314A1 - UNDERWATER SWIVELING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

26063H

Patent attorneys Dipl.-Ing. f L Weickman n, Dipl.-Phys. Dr. K. Fincke,

Dipl.-Ing. F. A. Weιckmann, Dipl.-Chem. B. Huber

XIIIPR

8 MUNICH 86, DEN

PO Box 860 820

MÖHLSTRASSE 22, CALL NUMBER 98 3921/22

INGENIEURSBUREAU MARCON (MARINE CONSULTANTS) BV, Jacob Pronkstraat 2a, 's-Gravenhage / Netherlands

KONINKLIJKE FABRIEKEN PENN & BAUDUIN BV, Glazenstraat 1, Dordrecht / Netherlands

VREDESTEIN LOOSDUINEN B.V.,

Oude Haagweg 128 ^,! s-Gravenhage / Netherlands

Underwater swivel device

The present invention relates to an underwater swivel device for connecting two structures in such a way that pivoting in all directions is possible, with several Lines in any structure that are mutually interconnected by line parts.

Devices of the aforementioned type are known. Often they have an ordinary articulated coupling structure or a hollow ball joint with one or more conduits running through it, or the hollow ball joint itself acts as a line part. If several lines are to run through the swivel device, then this does not lead to special difficulties when the lines, such as hoses, are flexible so that they open can sag freely a certain distance in order to follow all movements of the swivel device. For more rigid lines or in cases where it is not possible or expedient to place the line on a

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To allow the lines to sag freely at the right distance, there is the option of concentric lines in the swivel device to be arranged one inside the other. There is also a line pivoting device known which to a The axis running in the longitudinal direction of the line in the pivoting device can be pivoted; this configuration is also possible for several lines converging in a common body (see for example the Canadian patent 750 722). Such a pivoting device can be used for pivoting in all directions with 'an equally trained, at a certain distance arranged further pivoting device are combined, the further pivoting device, however, by one is pivotable to the axis of the first pivoting device perpendicular axis. Each line has two of these Swivel devices (see U.S. Patent 2,648,201).

Such devices are often unreliable and complicated, and they are also under the influence suffer from seawater, for example. The review of such devices designed in great water depths very difficult. After all, such structures are often prone to failure and leaky, which is the case with flowing through Oil must be prevented at all costs.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a device of the type in question, which is as reliable and as simple as possible and which addresses the aforementioned problems and difficulties do not occur.

To solve this problem, an underwater pivoting device of the type mentioned is according to the invention characterized in that two at a distance and lower

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pivot axes running right to one another are provided that the lines in the zone of the pivot axes are in the plane a pivot axis and perpendicular to the other pivot axis in such a way that they lie next to one another and stand perpendicular to one pivot axis, and that the lines are each as continuous structural units run through both pivot axes, with a short inclined connection between the pivot axes in each line is provided.

With a swivel device of the type mentioned above, it is possible to move a larger number of lines in the same, to provide through the pivot axis extending plane, so that these lines are only bent without them in Direction — their center lines are steered or pivoted when panning be shortened. This allows pivoting without significant stresses occurring, being above in addition, no freely sagging flexible part is required.

The lines are preferably designed as flexible corrugated bellows in the zones of the pivot axes.

It is clear that the two pivot axes should run at such a distance from one another that the lines between these axes are guided from their position in one pivot axis to their position in the plane of the other pivot axis can be.

In the case of the pivot device according to the invention, it would be possible to move the pivot points of the pivot axes anywhere to be placed between the lines. However, the exact opposite is preferred, i.e. the pivot points of the pivot axes to be arranged at such a distance from each other that the

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Lines between the pivot points through the pivot axes get lost.

In this embodiment, it is possible to use a swivel body in the form of an open tetrahedron with a swivel point to be provided in every corner.

Even if mechanical requirements with regard to low tension and compression in the lines are taken into account It may be possible that the pipe diameter makes it difficult to obtain the desired flexibility for the lines to be realized. In this case and continue in those cases where the flow of gas or oil is not completely interrupted for safety reasons when bellows or other moving parts of a line break, it is advisable to have at least one line in the two structures to be connected in the swivel area or split into two parallel lines near the swivel area. These parallel lines can then have smaller diameters, valves can be provided if necessary to only one line continue to use if the other is destroyed, tested or replaced.

The pivoting device according to the invention is suitable for installation between an anchor block or a foundation on a body of water and a column with a float and a storage or outlet device for flowing media that flows through the pipes to locations near or above the water level. this is for example for loading and unloading buoys in open water, for storage tanks nearby the water level and for drainage lines, for example for flaring devices for waste products above

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the water level, for example in newly constructed oil or gas systems expedient.

It should be noted here that it is known for individual lines, for example for suction lines of excavators is, two mutually perpendicular pivot axes in the line in a reciprocal To provide spacing, it is also known to connect the pivot points to a common pivot body. In such a case, however, there is only one line that runs centrally between the pivot points, so that the problems and purposes that arise are fundamentally different from those of the present Invention distinguish underlying aspects. The pivot points can be connected to a rigid curved body with which the line on both sides is connected via a flexible piece of hose.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the figures of the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lower, submerged part of a pivot device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of four lines running through the pivoting device according to FIG. 1 ; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram of running through the pivoting device Cables.

On an anchor plate, not shown, located on the seabed, for example made of concrete, there is a Metal foundation 1 on which support plates 2 are mounted.

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These support plates each have a hole 3 at their upper end through which an imaginary pivot axis 4 extends. With this hole 3 a corresponding swivel attachment is a swivel body 5 connected to his upper end has two pivot lugs 6 through which an imaginary pivot axis that is also horizontally aligned 7 runs. This pivot axis 7 runs perpendicular to the pivot axis 4. The lugs 6 work with corresponding ones Approaches of an attachment structure 8 together, which in the present case by a tubular frame with three risers 9, 10 and 11 at the corners of an equilateral triangle is formed. The other tubes of the tubular frame are located between these tubes. The tubes 9, 10 and 11 are provided with a counterweight 12 at its lower end. Two of these hollow risers 9 and 10 serve as a passage for a flowing medium that is fed to the foundation 1 through pipes 13.

The attachment structure 8 can with a float on or be provided below the water level in order to keep the entire structure in a vertical position as far as possible keep. In addition, the attachment structure can be used if necessary be connected to all kinds of facilities in the area of the water level. For example, can in the area of the water level a connection: to be made with a large buoy to which ships moor can, which take oil or gas from the risers 9 and 10. In addition to such a buoy or Instead of such a buoy, a storage tank can be used below or near the water level provided by oil or gas; Finally, it is also possible to connect a flare device, which can be used to flare unwanted products in the atmosphere. The latter case occurs

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for example when creating new extraction systems for oil or gas.

According to the diagram of FIG. 3, each line 13 is in two lines 15, 16 or 17, 18 split. Between the lines 13 ist.eine cross connection 14 with a valve located therein. In the lines there is also a valve in front of the separator intended. The lines 15 to 18 open via a valve 19 into a flexible line part 20, which for example designed as a flexible bellows made of synthetic rubber with ring-shaped or spiral-shaped steel reinforcements is. Behind this flexible part 20, each line opens into a curved and inclined short line piece 21, which leads to a further bellows 22, of which the Lines 15 to 18 lead to a further valve 23. The lines 15 and 16 or 17 and 18 each re-enter a single line. The lines 15 and 16 become one line 24 summarized, which leads via a valve to the riser 9 of the attachment structure 8, while the lines 17 and 18 are combined to form a line 25 which leads to the riser 10. Lines 24 and 25 can be mutually connected by a cross connection 26 to a valve.

From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the bellows-shaped line parts 20 each have a line vertically through the pivot axis 4, while the flexible line parts 22 guide the axis of the corresponding line through the pivot axis 7 above axis 4. The line parts 21 between the Leituhgsteile 20 and 22 therefore run in an inclined and curved path between the flexible pipe parts. In this way it is guaranteed

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stead that all four lines 15 to 18 can be bent in the ready of the pivot axes, but not longer or must be shorter so that they are strong and rigid, for example formed mainly from metal can be. As far as the bellows are concerned, rubber or a similar material can be used up to a substantial can be reinforced by metal. As can be seen, in principle it is also possible to use steel bellows for parts 20 and 22 to use.

FIG. 2 shows how the line parts 20 in the pivot axis 4 and the line parts 22 in the pivot axis 7 are arranged. Furthermore, it can be seen from this figure that the line parts 21 each in a vertical Lying level, these levels mutually parallel to each other.

According to FIG. 1, the swivel body 5 has the shape of an open tetrahedron.

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Claims (6)

"26063H Claims Underwater swivel device for connecting two structures in such a way that swiveling in all directions is possible with several lines in each structure, which alternate through line parts with each other are connected, characterized in that two at a distance and perpendicular to each other Pivot axes (4, 7) are provided that the lines (15, 16, 17, 18) in the zone of the pivot axes "" (4, 7) in the plane of a pivot axis and perpendicular extend to the other pivot axis in such a way that they lie next to one another and perpendicular to the one pivot axis stand, and that the lines (15, 14 »17, 18) respectively run as continuous structural units through both pivot axes (4, 7), in each line there is a short inclined connection (21) between the pivot axes (4, 7). 2. Pivoting device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the lines (15, 16, 17, 1B) in the zones of the heavy axes (4, 7) as flexible corrugated Bellows (20, 22) are formed. 3. Pivoting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that pivot points (3, 6) of the pivot axes (4, 7) are arranged at such a distance from one another are that the lines (15, 16, 17, 18) between the pivot points (3, 6) through the pivot axes (4, 7) run. 609835/0790 4. Swivel device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a swivel body (5) in the form of an open tetrahedron with a pivot point in each corner. 5. Pivoting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one line . in the two structures to be connected in the swivel area or in the vicinity of the swivel area in two split parallel lines (15, 16 or 17, 18) is. 6. Pivoting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by an installation between an anchor block or a foundation (1) on a body of water and a Aufsatζstruktur (8) with a float and a storage or outlet device for • Flowing media that pass through the lines (15, 16, 17, 18) to locations near or above the water level stream. 609835/0790 Blank page